Skip to content

Westbrook's dunk ignites Hornets, not Thunder in another OKC loss

Sam Sharpe-USA TODAY Sports / Action Images

The Oklahoma City Thunder may have had the best highlight, but it was far from enough to sink the league's worst road team.

Even with Paul George back in the fold following a two-game absence, the up-and-down Thunder fell 116-103 at Chesapeake Arena to the Charlotte Hornets.

After trailing for much of the contest, Oklahoma City seemed primed to take control in the third quarter when Russell Westbrook obliterated Michael Kidd-Gilchrist with a fast-break tomahawk dunk to tie it.

However, it was the Hornets who looked invigorated following the highlight slam, as they immediately answered with a 20-2 run. Overall, they poured in 40 points in the frame - just two shy of the franchise record for road points in the third quarter. The run was ultimately too much for OKC to recover from.

The Thunder usually hold opponents to double digits on just 45 percent shooting, but relinquished 116 points to Charlotte on 53 percent shooting from the field. They gave up 42 points in the paint, but even more glaring was their struggles guarding the perimeter, as they allowed their opponents to shoot 13-of-25 from long range. Oklahoma City, which also averages a league-leading 10 steals per contest, managed only half against the Hornets, who are the best team at taking care of the ball.

Westbrook led the way for the home side with 30 points, seven dimes, four rebounds, and three steals. Still, it wasn't enough to overcome the hole the Thunder found themselves in against a team that entered the matchup with just one road win in 11 attempts.

With the loss, the Thunder remain a half-game back of a playoff spot at 12-14. They'll look to get back into the win column Wednesday against George's former team, the Indiana Pacers.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox